We are living through a timeline in history that has very conflicting and oftentimes confusing views about the appropriate way to take care of your health. The majority of our population has only ever known the reign of Western medicine. Since the late 1800s, this practice of healthcare has swept developing nations like wildfire, effectively usurping most other modes of treating disease that otherwise had been used successfully for centuries.
Here's the big issue that we are all facing right now: in most Western societies, the human lifespan is increasing, but the human healthspan is not.
What’s the difference between lifespan and healthspan, you ask? Lifespan is the length of your life in actual years. Healthspan, by definition, is the length of a person’s life during which they are in good health. Good health means that you are living free of disease, with sustained energy, highly functioning digestive systems (one or more solid bowel movements a day, no bloating or gas when you eat), balanced hormones, clear brains, ability to sleep well, strong motivation and able bodies to do the things you love… the list goes on.
What all of this means is that, while we are living longer (in actual years), we are simultaneously feeling worse and worse at younger and younger ages. For an advanced and capable society like ours, this paradox is entirely backwards.
The hard facts, though, are that nearly half of the American population (133 million people) suffer from at least one chronic health condition (chronic health issue = a health issue that persists for longer than three months). These could include (but are not limited to): arthritis, cancer, COPD, heart disease, asthma, Diabetes, hepatitis, hypertension, stroke, weak or failing kidneys, IBS, IBD, gut issues of all sorts, autoimmune conditions, anxiety disorders, hormonal issues, to name only a few. To compound this, nearly 30% of these people have multiple chronic health conditions, meaning two or more chronic issues at the same time. Living with a chronic health condition likely means that you are living a lower quality of life and are also at higher risk for mental health issues like depression.
In today’s world, Western medicine has failed so many of us and has been leaving us feeling alone, unheard, unseen and ultimately, un-helped.
But before I explain my reasoning on the matter, I want to point out one very clear thing: Western medicine has had a very important role in the advancement of the human species and has made (and continues to make) some incredible strides in helping us live longer and safer lives. To give you some examples, it’s because of Western medicine that we have cured and even eradicated incredibly harmful infectious diseases; we are able to transfuse blood to someone with a hemorrhage so they don’t bleed out and die; we created anesthesia and other sterilizers to successfully and safely perform surgery on people with acute physical emergencies that otherwise likely would have resulted in death or immobility; we created vaccines that have helped to save the lives of large populations of people; we have created incredible medical equipment that help to better diagnose and treat disease; we have even created some amazing pharmaceuticals and other treatments like insulin, antibiotics and chemotherapy that have also helped elongate lives.
Wow! Western medicine is pretty amazing, and I recognize and praise its role in many aspects of our world. And, even today, there are certainly still times and places to lean on this practice of medicine.
But if Western medicine is so amazing, why are there still so many issues with our health? The answer is this: Western medicine prioritizes individual body systems and symptoms rather than addressing the whole person as a cohesive unit. This mode of practice divides health from disease, and prioritizes people who have already become ill (rather than helping to prevent them from getting there at all). Western medicine is great in acute situations, but it also means that if you have a chronic health condition, Western medicine is not going to help you very well. At least not for long…
Think of it this way: we are not just our kidneys. Our kidneys are one cog in the larger wheel of our physical and mental bodies that works within a very big team of other organs, tissues, glands, bones, enzymes, etc. If we simply treat our kidneys when they are exhibiting symptoms related to our kidneys, without considering all of the other physical, mental and emotional components that can impact kidney function, we will inevitably be trading one symptom for another symptom (sometimes many) without actually treating what was really wrong in the first place.
Staying on the kidney example… did you know that stress and uncontrolled stress can lead to kidney damage? This is because stress increases our blood pressure and also contributes to higher amounts of sugar in our blood (this is how our body is able to access quick fuel when – back in the day – we needed quick energy to run away from a bear. We no longer have to worry about being chased by bears, but our bodies don’t know the difference between these different types of stress). Since our kidneys filter our blood and require proper blood circulation, they are very prone to issues related to high blood pressure and high blood sugar. This is also the reason why people with heart problems and/or Diabetes have a higher risk of kidney disease, too!
So, you go into a Western medical hospital with symptoms related to your kidneys (swelling of hands/feet, fatigue, sleep issues, urination issues, loss of appetite), and they pop you on an ACE inhibitor, for instance, to lower your blood pressure and take stress off your kidneys. But they never talk to you about how you’re handling the underlying stress related to caring for a sick or dying loved one, or the stress of working 12-hour days with a family at home, or the stress related to being a mom and not getting a lot of sleep. Nor do they help you create a stress management plan that work for your life to help you find relaxation and calm throughout your hectic day. Not to mention, they certainly don’t tell you about the fatigue and the nutritional deficiencies – most notably magnesium and potassium – that you will inevitably experience while being on an ACE inhibitor for many consecutive months.
Now, because they didn’t tell you any of this or address the underlying issue that started it all, you are not only still stressed (the root cause of your issue), you now have constipation and headaches and other electrolyte issues due to nutritional deficiencies, which now prompts you to take laxatives that cause a myriad of other gut issues and anxiety issues stemming from your gut. You will probably also start taking anti-inflammatories for your headaches that then cause indigestion and acid reflux… This cycle goes on and on and on.
You’ve traded in one problem for at least 10 new and different ones. And the worst part is that there was a very real chance you didn’t need any of those things at all! Instead, you may have found better relief with herbal adaptogens to help mitigate your stress levels, some community and loving support groups to help with whatever stress you are dealing with, as well as a stronger priority on eating whole foods to support your body and mind. These are just the tip of the holistic route that can be incorporated.
Holistic medicine, which has its roots in traditional Eastern medicine, looks at every aspect of who you are and the interconnectedness between your mind, body, emotions and spirit. How each of them is affecting and impacting the other. This model of healthcare considers health as a balanced state and works hard before a problem arises to ensure you never have a problem at all! Holistic medicine pays respect to the “oneness” of our entire human existence. The vital roles that each part – no matter how small – affect our ability to be well, healthy and thriving.
And sometimes a holistic medicine approach involves Western medicine! *Gasp* Could it be so? Sure! It is sometimes necessary to get specialty care. But when used most effectively in the treatment of chronic health conditions or in preventive care, Western medicine is an adjunct therapy rather than the main agenda.
Now, please don’t confuse Western medical doctors who claim to take a holistic approach to health with actual holistic practitioners. This could mean that they offer some alternative therapies, or that they are more compassionate practitioners. Both are great, but this does not mean they know or will be able to help you in actual holistic health.
So who are the best practitioners to look for when you are seeking real, holistic care?
o Naturopathic doctors (NDs) – these doctors went to medical school just like regular MDs, but when it came time to branch out into a specialty role, they transitioned to holistic care where they learn things like Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbs, botanicals, as well as other lifestyle interventions.
o Holistic Dietitians (like me!) – nutrition and food are a human’s most potent medicine, and a licensed Dietitian is one of the experts in this area. Finding a holistic Dietitian will ensure that you are also being treated for things like environmental toxins, gut issues, as well as other mindset and lifestyle issues related to self-efficacy, self-confidence and self-worth.
o Functional and Integrative Doctors – you can find these doctors on sites like IFM.com, for instance. While still Western dominant, they have been trained in many other alternative healing modalities that most regular MDs have not.
Other types of practitioners who could lead you in the right direction can include:
o Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors
o Acupuncturists
o Nurse practitioners
When it comes to preventive care, sustainable health that will leave you feeling balanced and healthy for your whole life… traditional holistic care rooted in Eastern medicine is the way to go. The same is true for anyone with a chronic health condition at all. Do yourself a favor and see one of the practitioners listed above.
If you have an acute issue (sepsis, a broken bone, a brain aneurism, COVID, a recent infection, etc.) or even the need for surgery, then Western medicine is a great place to start. But please know that with any acute issue you are experiencing, there are likely chronic issues that will follow, so don’t stop at Western medicine. Find a holistic support team that can help you transition to a whole-body care model after your acute issues are dealt with!
If you have any questions whatsoever about this topic, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Wholistic health and healing is what I do!
In health ‘n Mellness,
xo